By Chidi Chukwutem
One of the most defining hallmarks of Senator Ned Nwoko’s representation in the 10th Senate is his deliberate and sustained focus on the Ndokwa nation. This is neither accidental nor political tokenism. It stems from what he personally witnessed while traversing the nine local government areas of Delta North Senatorial District during his campaign.
For those who were part of that campaign train, his passion for Ndokwa was unmistakable. His visits to Ndokwa communities were more than routine political engagements, they were emotional encounters with decades of neglect.
At every stop, he saw poverty amidst plenty, deprivation in the shadow of oil wealth. One moment remains etched in memory: a sick young girl forced to share living space with livestock.
The viral image of Senator Ned fighting back tears became a symbol of his resolve. That heartbreaking sight crystallized into a personal vow: “Ndokwa must not remain in the shadows of Nigeria’s development.” From then on, his representation carried a Ndokwa-centric intentionality.
True to his word, Senator Nwoko’s first motion in the Senate was on crude oil theft in the Niger Delta—a direct response to the plight of oil-rich yet impoverished Ndokwa. That motion birthed a Senate Ad-hoc Committee, which he chairs, shining a national spotlight on the injustices faced by Ndokwa and similar communities.
He reinforced this by visiting International Oil Companies (IOCs) operating in Ndokwa/Ukwuani, confronting long-standing impunities. He later sponsored another crucial motion on the Urgent Need to Stop Gas Flaring and Enforce Anti-Gas Flaring Regulations in Ndokwa Land and the Niger Delta Region.
A recurring theme in Ndokwa’s story is betrayal, best exemplified by the Okpai Independent Power Plant (IPP). Approved more than 20 years ago with the promise of 100 megawatts of dedicated supply to Ndokwa, the project continues to feed the national grid while host communities live in darkness.
Senator Nwoko raised this injustice in the Senate through his motion on the Need to Address the Unexplained Delay of Electricity Supply in Ndokwa Land and Step-down of Okpai Independent Power Plant.
His advocacy has not only secured Senate support but has also drawn the attention of the Ministers of Power and Petroleum Resources, both of whom now acknowledge the urgency of the matter.
Beyond legislative motions, Senator Nwoko has demonstrated responsiveness to emergencies.
When floods devastated Ndokwa communities, he sponsored a motion on the Urgent Call for Emergency Provisions for Victims of Flooding in Ndokwa Communities, leading to immediate relief interventions from NEMA and ongoing deliberations on long-term solutions.
More significantly, he successfully lobbied for the inclusion of a major coastal road project, valued at N27 billion, in the NDDC budget.
Stretching across multiple Ndokwa communities, this massive intervention doubles as critical infrastructure and a permanent flood-control mechanism.
On security, his Zero Tolerance for Crime, Oil Theft, and Pipeline Vandalism Initiative has strengthened local vigilance.
Responding to community concerns, he provided vehicles, logistics, and salaries to vigilante teams across Ndokwa East, Ndokwa West, and Ukwuani LGAs, thereby complementing police efforts and enhancing community safety.
Senator Nwoko has also ensured that Ndokwa indigenes have a fair share of federal opportunities.
Through a committee led by Chief Obielum, Larry Ezechi, and Ambrose Abel, he has facilitated empowerment programmes, medical outreaches, agricultural support, including fertilizer distribution, and employment in the military, police, and other federal agencies. Over 100 Ndokwa youths have directly benefited from his initiatives.
Perhaps his most far-reaching initiative is his bill for the establishment of a Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) in Kwale.
If actualised, it would transform Ndokwa into a strategic hub for military training and national security development, positioning the area at the centre of Nigeria’s defence architecture.
Senator Ned Nwoko’s work in Ndokwa/Ukwuani is not built on promises or political rhetoric. It is anchored on evidence, action, and results.
His commitment remains unwavering: to lift Ndokwa from the margins into the mainstream of Nigeria’s development.
